Fibre Fantasy, Fibre Arts Network

This exhibition features work by twenty-two artist members from the Fibre Arts Network. The Fibre Arts Network has over fifty members from all over Western Canada, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Membership includes establishing and established fibre artists, with many having shown their work nationally and internation-ally.

Through FAN’s retreats, newsletters, and website, members support one another, and participate in exhibitions together. Fibre Fantasy exposes the diversity of FAN artists interests and includes a variety of fibre works, including quilts, wall-hangings, and three-dimensional work. The work in this exhibition is stunning, and exposes the limitless possibilities of fibre art.

This exhibition is bound together by the influence of the Japanese aesthetic of wabi sabi. Wabi is a form of beauty based on simplicity and imperfection, and sabi refers to the changed quality of an object through production, time and use. While this work is considered to present a more extreme and experimental expression of what is ‘natural’ in Japanese ceramics, these artists’ work strongly exhibits particular qualities of the clay or actions of the firing process. Produced and toured by the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery.

OPENING RECEPTION
February 25, 7: 30 PM
ARTIST TALK
February 25, 7: 30 PM

This exhibition gathers together artists who use the culture and practice of skateboarding as a means to critique architecture, social spaces, and the values represented by those spaces. Skateboarding is not only presented as art, but it recognizes that contemporary art has an intimate relation-ship with the products and practices of popular culture. Organized and circulated by the Dunlop Art Gallery.

OPENING RECEPTION
February 25, 7: 30 PM
ARTIST TALKS
February 25, 7: 30 PM

The image reclaims stereotypical representations and portrayals of Indians and acknowl-edges the longstanding connection with urban African American culture. Ace imprints his own image on pop cultural objects used by urban Aboriginal youth including skate-boards, patches, lunch boxes, satchels, hats clothing and other urban pop culture objects. Super Phat Nish becomes the new cool urban guru and role model that reveals that one can maintain their distinct cultural sensibility in the city. Barry Ace is an established artist, writer and curator living and working in Ottawa.

JANUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 13, 2005 - Stephen Wiens

FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 4, 2005 - Darcy Watt

Art galleries are for people, a place to learn, gather and celebrate the creative spirit. The AGSM is no different and this fall has seen a myriad of events that are about just that. On September 9 nearly 50 volunteers attended our volunteer appreciation luncheon. This long overdue event was our way of thanking our many volunteers past and present for all their efforts in building and sustaining the AGSM’s programs. It was also a way to announce the Board’s decision to move the Gallery Gift Shop from the foyer to the Boardroom next to the Reception Desk. We are very grateful for the volunteer committee, Michael Cox, Enid Pottinger, Wilma Lloyd Davies and Ben Wiebe Construction for making it happen. It was long overdue!

On October 27th we held an Artists’ Gathering where over 100 artists attended. Each artist brought one of their own art pieces for an evening of camaraderie, friendly critique and elegant refreshments. Board member Curt Shoultz and volunteers Shirley Brown and Fay Jelly were the collective driving force behind this event. The enormous talent of artists in this area was inspirational for curator Cathy Mattes and myself. Look for a similar gathering this coming spring.

The Helen Lamont Watercolour work-shop on Halloween weekend attracted 18 of southwestern Manitoba's most pro•cient watercolour painters. All were ready to learn new techniques and ways of seeing from North Dakota artist and teacher Walter Piehl. Judging by the results, which were displayed for a time in our Community Gallery, none were disappointed. I cannot even describe my delight at seeing these exquisite paintings.

Meanwhile, our slate of exhibition programming has also been attracting new and larger audiences. On November 4th over 300 people attended the opening of the David Garneau exhibition Cowboys and Indians and (Métis?) and the Riel Benn exhibition The Best Man. Thanks to the Manitoba Metis Federation SW Region who provided the entertainment, and the guests who streamed in from as far away as Winnipeg. The atmosphere tingled with excitement and celebration of the work of these two •ne artists!

As the year draws to a close, I look forward more great art and great people at the AGSM in 2005! Wishing you all the best for the holiday season,

Jennifer Woodbury

The Art Party volunteer organizing committee, Curt Shoultz, Fay Jelly, Shirley Brown. Art Party organizers wish to thank: Sobeys for their contribution of food, Blue Moon Water for the refreshments.and Barb Flemington, Fay Jelly and the AGSM Giftshop for donating draw prizes.

Mel, Barry, D’arcy and Brent at the Brandon School Division Maintenance Department for the loan and delivery of tables for the Art Connects School Tour Program.

The AGSM is offering a workshop Fiber Remembered/ Fiber Reborn January 22-23 and we are in need of a variety of donations. We would welcome and appreciate fabric dyes, fabric paints, embroidery threads, sewing thread, lace , buttons, material pieces, and any other fiber project materials. Items can be dropped off at the Front Desk at the Art Gallery.

Kady’s contributions began with her arrival in Brandon in 1977, when she volunteered to teach a children’s class on Saturday mornings at the Brandon Allied Arts Centre, the forerunner of the current AGSM. Though already a •ne arts honours student from the University of Toronto, Kady wanted to get more studio experience. She says, “I learned a great deal from my students. I hope they learned also.” For the next two decades, Kady went on to teach students of all ages and levels. After serving on the Board of Directors for the Allied Arts Centre from 1978-1985 she became involved in the physical integration of arts and library facilities into a new Brandon Centennial Library/Arts Centre. Bringing the gallery and classes to professional standards was something Kady helped to realize.

Kady was also an in•uential force in the lives of those she taught, many of whom went on to be artists in their own right. Claire Bowering Marchand, visual artist and Flamenco dancer/studio proprietor, remembers her respectful approach to children. Kady saw all of her students as potential artists no matter what their age. Never condescending, Marchand recalls how Kady gave her the ability to see the world differently, like an artist; “º the rows of elms looked much different than they had before. I was able to forget that they were elms or even trees and see them as a series of shapes that went into the distance.

From then on, I began practising the shift from left to right brain.” Shandra MacNeill also took art classes from Kady as a young child through to a teenager. Now a visual artist, she recalls with wonder and gratitude Kady’s tolerance and patience as a teacher in helping her to build a visual language that has stuck with her to this day. MacNeill says of Kady, “She extended herself towards my work, so that she could •nd that thing that I should keep, and she always pointed to it in a way that I too could see it. I’m still learning from the lessons she taught and the things she said she saw in my work.”

Kady’s success as an artist in her own right extended her impact far beyond the region. Barb Flemington, artist, AGSM Art Educator and a former student of Kady’s, says, “Kady had more in•uence upon us than she realizes.” Thinking of Kady’s own work, Barb uses the word “lyrical” but also in reference to her speech, ideas and thought processes. It’s a word that •ts with her successful career as an internationally acclaimed children’s book illustrator and author of about 30 books. On Kady’s artistic sense, Claire Marchand remembers, Kady embodies the spirit of the artist as keen observer, one who celebrates and explores the world’s natural beauty, and as a highly skilled painter. She lives in a visual world, and she invites us right into it. Kady draws and paints with a natural and seemingly effortless •uidity, as her eye and hand seem to magically capture the essence of her subject. She has a great sense of playfulness in her drawings and paintings.

Kady graciously shared the glory of her Governor-General’s Literary Award (illustration, English) in 1998 with her community at a special evening in her honour at the AGSM. She also showed her work in a 1996 solo show at the gallery called Picture Books: The Process curated by Sigrid Dahl. An exhibit of recent watercolours showed the following year in the gallery’s Art Shop.

Describing her own role in the evolution of the gallery, Kady will always credit other instrumental figures in the process. Here’s our chance to give credit to one the most important members of our arts community. Kady, you will not be forgotten. You deserve more thanks and praise than we are capable of giving and we wish you many productive days in your sunny new studio. For her part, Kady adds, “An exciting time lies ahead for the Art Gallery in its beautiful new setting. Warmest best wishes to all with my thanks for many good memories.”

Thank-you, Kady!

Kids • Teens • Adults

CLASSES BEGIN JANUARY 17
To register Call: (204) 727-1036
or info@agsm.ca

ART GALLERY OF
SOUTHWESTERN MANITOBA
710 Rosser Ave.,Suite 2, Brandon, MB R7A0K9

NEW MEMBERSHIPS

September 2004
Marg Stewart
Darline & Sandy Brownridge
Skinner Family
Carol Turabian
Shelley Rogers
John Scott
Ann Rivera
Garrett Beatty
Susan Knowling
Choy Family
Alyssa Wowchuk
Ken Elliot
Nellie Gillespie
Deborah Fyten
Ray Howell
Pam Dean

October 2004
Jay Henry
Sherry Wallman
Derksen Family

November 2004
Jennifer Smith
Norma Bileski
Maureen McPhail
Marcia Monreal
Art Oscar

December 2004
Judy Morningstar

September 2004
Irene Parsons
Theresa Melville
Riley Coey
Leanne McLean
Debbie Braun
Erica Smith
Bev Daniels
Vickie Smart
Carl & Syd Chihonik
Stephanie Albiani
Linda Krieser
Mitri Family
Alex Town
Sandy Green
Julie Brock
Jennifer Shineton
Monique Ferguson
Jennifer Milliken
Roger Smith
Cyndi Munn
Don Lindsay
Terry McCrimmon
Carolyn Learmonth
Danielle Tichit
Rossett Family
Susan Pio
Kelland Family
Tim Braun
Barbara Aaron
Joan McCrae
Gabriel Kelleher
Lorraine Arbuckle
Tracey Solcan
Dawn Bennett
Lynn McMechan
Jade Ritchie
Salo Family
Kayla Jackson
Sarah Graham
Tyler Ball
Roseanne Rae

October 2004
Wheat City Fibre Arts Guild
Shelley Bryant
Curt Shoultz

November 2004
Kelly family
Sue Hunter
Malyon Family
Lynne Manns
Carma Brewer

December 2004
LeiAnne Sharratt
Trina Cochrane

Thank you to the following
volunteers that helped make
Gala of Gifts a success:

Crocus Plains Art Students
Lady of the Lake
Thereza Barber-Hacault
Irene Bergner
Norma Bileski
Deborah Caplan
Kay Cherniski
Becky Chinn
Doreen Conlin
Michael Cox
Gwen Crook
Ilse DeGobeo
Krista Ferguson
Marion George
Ann Germani & students
Virginia Kostiuk
Ev Lacey
Rina Lall
Anne Lowe
Ross McDonald
Colleen Mitchell
Grant Penn
Nan Pernal
Enid Pottinger
Maggie Ramsay
Isabel Robertson
Elaine Rust
Curt & Heather Shoultz
Mef Simpson
Peter Spearey
Marg Stewart
Gilda Swayze
Millie Reid
Isabel Robertson
Elaine Rust
Pat Tole
Norma Woodman
Kate Zeke
Phyllis Zimmerman

Thank you to our dedicated
Giftshop volunteers:

Gwen Crook
Ev Lacey
Janet Lambert
Wilma Lloyd-Davies
Eleanor McCreath
Enid Pottinger
Millie Reid
Mef Simpson
Vickie Smart
Norma Woodman
Phyllis Zimmerman

Thank you to Kevin Jones
for cleaning our studios.